Method and apparatus for application of electrostatic charges to compounds held within containers

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for application of electrostatic charges to compounds to change the physical characteristics of the compounds. The compound is located within a container, that can be sealed or open, in proximity to an electrode so that there is capacitive coupling between the electrode and the compound. A high frequency, high voltage signal is applied to the electrode for a time sufficient to increase negative ions in the compound, thus changing its physical characteristics. The method can increase the pH and decreases oxidation-reduction potential. A grounded platform is provided for use with a non-conductive container, and the entire apparatus can be provided in a housing enclosure to permit safe application of electrical potential to the compound being treated.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the non-provisional filing of ProvisionalApplication No. 60/389,784, filed Jun. 19, 2002. This application isalso a division of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/460,273, filed Jun. 11, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,255, issuedApr. 22, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to changing the physical characteristics of acompound and in particular to supplying negative ions to a compound viacapacitive coupling using a high frequency, high amplitude voltage.

Compounds, whether they are liquids, solids or gases (and the term“compound” is used herein as such) can have physical characteristicsaltered by application of electrical energy. When applied to water,application of electrical energy can make it seem fresher.

Freshness in this regard means that negative ions are present in asurplus. For example, ripened fresh fruits and vegetables are loadedwith negative ions. As the fruit or vegetables over-ripen, they loosenegative ions or are oxidized, that is, they are robbed of negative ionsby an oxidant such as oxygen or any other free radical molecule that isnaturally electron-seeking. A sliced apple, for example, will turn brownin color from oxidation upon exposure to air in a short amount of time.Coating the cut apple with an antioxidant like Vitamin C will keep theapple from turning brown in color and will maintain freshness.

When ionized with negative ions, water, in the presence of dissolvedoxygen becomes more alkaline and the pH increases because of an increasein hydroxide ion (OH—) concentration. The pH of alkaline solutionsindicates a surplus of hydroxide (negative ions) over hydrogen ions(positive ions). An increase in negative ions with dissolved oxygen mayform more hydroxide ions and may give off some hydrogen gas in theprocess.

Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) is a measure in millivolts of acompound's potential to Oxidize (an electron acceptor) or Reduce (anelectron donor) in a chemical reaction. As a compound is given a surplusof negative ions, ORP becomes more negative in value, indicating thatthe compound is becoming more of an electron donor. The compound thenbecomes an Anti-Oxidant (Reducing Agent) and decreases the effects ofOxidants.

In many cases, a net decrease in ORP of as little as 20 millivolts fromsurplus negative ions being applied electrostatically to drinking waterwill result in a noticeable difference in taste. The water will tastesmoother, wetter and fresher. And this happens whether the water is tapwater, bottled water or filtered water.

Ionized water can be consumed with ORP differences of hundreds ofmillivolts with high pH levels (pH 10) from bubbling ozone through thewater. However, this is not necessary and may be harmful to consumelarge quantities of water on a daily basis with excessive ionizationpotential from elevated pH levels over a long period of time.

Prior art electrostatic liquid charging systems that impart negativeions within a liquid may use polarized direct current (DC) electrostaticprobes that are inserted into the liquid to which the charge will beimparted. These probes must have a positive (anode) and negative(cathode) or ground terminal and must be in contact with the liquid inorder to operate. They, therefore must, by design, be either physicallyinserted into open containers or be enclosed within the liquid inletsupply flow tubes that are not and cannot be hermetically sealed as, forexample, off-the-shelf bottled water. They also separate water oraqueous liquids into acid and alkaline components via electrolysis. Thealkaline component is usually the important one since it is negativelycharged with the acid component being positively charged. The alkalinecomponent is the one, which is consumed with the acid component beingeither discarded or used for other purposes such as watering plants.

Other systems may bubble ozone gas through the liquid or add chemicalsalts and colloidal particles that help to impart negative ions to theliquid and/or help to increase the pH. In these cases, the compoundneeds to be in an open container and be treated by direct contact withthe ozone gas, chemicals or colloidal particles. Compounds treated bysuch systems may be sold in hermetically sealed containers aftertreatment but they are limited to which compounds can be treated and howmuch of a compound is charged. They also suffer because the originalcompound has become chemically modified and in many cases, denatured.

Freshness among other things is a function of the surplus of negativeions. Fruits and vegetables decay from the buildup of the naturalproduction of ethylene, which may increase free radicals that, in turnrob electrons from the fruit or vegetables. Thus, electrostatic chargesand negative ions can retard spoilage.

Water is an electrostatically polar molecule that possesses a large netdipole moment and exhibits dipole-dipole interaction between and amongits own molecules. In addition, it possesses the most powerful kind ofdipole-dipole interaction: hydrogen bonding.

Because of this property, water exists as a liquid crystal that reliesupon hydrogen bonding to produce a surface tension that is inherent inits nature. These liquid crystals form long chains of molecules thatline up to present a distributed, resistive force, which will resist acertain amount of penetrative force upon the molecules before theyyield. Surface tension resists hydration by preventing water to permeatemembranes.

When an electrostatic charge is imparted to water, the negative ionstend to break some of the hydrogen bonds between and among the watermolecules. Then the molecules form smaller chains and become clusters ormonomolecular making the molecules smaller and decreasing the surfacetension. This makes water wetter.

Chemicals may be added to water that will decrease the surface tension,called “Surfactants” (surface-active agents). Chemicals that possessthis property are called “wetting agents”.

Electrostatic fields have a similar effect on water that “wettingagents” have in that they break up the hydrogen bonding inherent inwater and aqueous solutions. This causes the water molecules to formrings or clusters instead of long chains thus reducing the surfacetension and making the water “wetter”. The advantage in beverages andother food or non-food compounds is that no adjunct chemicals need to beadded to produce similar “wetting agent” effects. And this can beperformed on hermetically sealed contents.

In addition to hydrogen bonding, water also has a high dielectricconstant, i.e., it has good electrical insulating properties, which makeit tend to hold an electrostatic charge. As negative ions are introducedinto water, they are dispersed among the water molecules. According tothe laws of physics, the stability of a charged system is increased bythe dispersal of the charge. Water is therefore a good electricalcapacitor and will hold an electrostatic charge over time.

Electrostatic charges that are introduced into a liquid medium such aswater produce negative ions that are attracted to positively chargedends of dipolar molecules i.e., water molecules themselves and othercompounds that are either dissolved or remain in suspension in thewater. This tendency to hold an electrostatic charge for a definite timemay increase the pH of the liquid compound making the compound slightlymore electronegative and therefore more alkaline and less acidic. In thepresence of a surplus of negative ions, some of the positive hydrogenions (H+) may bond with other hydrogen ions to form hydrogen gas (H₂),which escapes from the water, decreases the hydrogen ion concentration(H+) and increases the hydroxide ion (OH—) concentration. The increasein OH— ions increases the pH of the compound.

Slightly acidic compounds like water, or more strongly acidic compoundslike carbonated soda water (carbonic acid) will hold more electrons tothe positive ends of their molecules than alkaline compounds becausethere is a surplus of positive ionic molecular sites. Thus, the effectof charging acidic compounds with negative ions will tend to have a morepronounced effect on the compound than on alkaline compounds, which willtend to repel the negative ions. The effect of charging acidic beverageslike coffee & tea, or carbonated beverages like soda water, beer, orchampagne with negative ions will tend to take the “edge” or “bite” outof the taste because the positive acidic ends of the molecules will havebeen slightly neutralized by the negative ions. Taste tests confirm thatinexpensive champagne with a high acid “bite” will taste noticeablysmoother after charging with negative ions.

Imparting negative ions via electrostatic charges have the followingeffects on water and other aqueous liquids:

-   -   1. Decreases the size of water molecule clusters.    -   2. Decreases the surface tension.    -   3. Decreases the Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP).    -   4. Increases the pH.    -   5. Increases hydration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for supplying negativeions to a compound. The method according to the invention comprises thesteps of locating the compound in a container proximate an electrode topermit capacitive coupling between the electrode and the compound. Then,a high frequency, high amplitude voltage is applied to the electrode fora time sufficient to increase negative ions in the compound. Thisresults in an increase in pH and a decrease in oxidation-reductionpotential, with the pH increase being less than 0.5 pH units and theoxidation-reduction potential decrease being less than 50 millivolts.

The container can be either sealed or unsealed, and preferably theelectrode is located exterior to the container, although thick,insulative containers may require locating the electrode in thecontainer interior. Insulative containers may be located on a groundedplatform to bleed off excess current, but only non-conductive containerscan be used With a grounded platform. The source of high frequency, highamplitude voltage comprises a high voltage transformer, a dischargecircuit and a charging circuit. Optionally, a timer can be provided foroperating the source at pre-selected tines.

For safety purposes, the apparatus of the invention can be locatedwithin a housing enclosure. An access door is provided in the housingenclosure so that compounds, in a container can be inserted therewithin.A safety switch is connected to the access door for disabling thevoltage source if the access door is opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the followingdescription of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, takenin conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one form of the apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a second form of the apparatusaccording to the invention, in which the electrode is located inside thecontainer;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical elements of theinvention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate one form of a portable apparatus according tothe invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational illustration of the invention when employing anexternal housing;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the elements of a second form withthe apparatus employing a housing enclosure;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram for one form of the charging circuit,discharge circuit and high voltage pulse transformer;

FIG. 8 is a circuit illustration of one form of a timer circuitaccording to the invention, and

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate three voltage waveforms that can begenerated by the electrode of the invention for treating compounds.

DESCRIPTIONS OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The method of the invention is useful in the application ofelectrostatic charges and negative ions to liquid compounds, solidcompounds, and gaseous compounds that are enclosed within open or closedcontainers such as glasses, bottles, jars, cans, cups, carboys, bowls,bladders, pots, tanks, vats, etc. The containers may be composed ofmetallic or non-metallic material such as cans, pots, glass, plastic,ceramic, rubber, paper, etc., or any other type of composition whetherelectrically conductive or non-conductive. A liquid compound may be anyaqueous, non-aqueous organic solvent (e.g. alcohol), or compounds andmetals in their molten state. Solid compounds may be perishablecommodities such as fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, etc. Gaseouscompounds may be any aqueous (e.g. steam), non-aqueous organic (e.g.carbon dioxide, methane, acetylene), or non-organic gas (e.g. nitrogen,oxygen).

The method affects the physical characteristics of many compounds inmuch the same way as a waterfall affects water, making it taste andsmell fresh and invigorating. A waterfall imparts negative ions to thewater as it flows through oxygen in the air. The present method,however, does not rely on oxygen or ozone or on any other chemicalcompound to impart negative ions to a compound. Instead, it relies onthe capacitive coupling nature of high frequency alternating electriccurrents and the electrostatic nature of chemical compounds, especiallyaqueous compounds, to accept and hold a charge of surplus negative ionsat the molecular level.

The present method is very mild and may supply negative ions overseveral minutes with only slight increases in pH (less than 0.5 pHunits) and slight decreases in ORP (less than 50 millivolts) while stillimproving the taste, flavor, and smell of many beverages and compounds.This is time dependent, however, for the longer there is a surplus ofnegative ions, hydrogen gas may form and escape from open containerswhich would tend to increase pH due to the increase in hydroxide ionconcentration.

The method offers a convenient, low-cost, safe, and effective way toionize beverages and other liquids and compounds within a containerwithout the addition of adjunct compounds (e.g., oxygen, ozone gas) orother chemical reagents (e.g., silica, potash, magnesium sulfate) andwithout direct-current electrodes that are immersed within aqueousliquid compounds which separate the aqueous liquid into acidic andalkaline solutions via electrolysis. The method differs from othermethods and apparatuses used for electrification because it usesalternating currents of high frequency electricity instead of directcurrent that relies upon electrolysis and the use of two (anode andcathode) submerged electrodes or probes.

“Closed containers” completely encase the compound and may betemporarily closed or hermetically sealed as in the case of a bottle orcan that is purchased “off-the-shelf” such as bottled water, beverages,packaged food, soup, etc. The closed container may also be pressurizedas in the case of beer, champagne, soda, and other sparkling beverages.

“Open containers” that only partially contain the compound may be adrinking glass, bottle, coffee cup, opened wine or beer bottle, fruitjuice container, pot, etc., in which the sealing top cap, lid or corkhas been removed leaving the container open to the ambient surroundingair during the charging process.

The invention allows for electric and electrostatic charges and fieldsto be applied to a compound such as drinking water or any other beverageor food product while enclosed within a container where the compoundwithin acquires and holds an electrostatic charge of negative ions for adefinite time and imparts a desirable characteristic to the compoundwithin the container such as:

-   -   1. Improves or modifies the taste, flavor, and smell of        beverages or compounds.    -   2. Increases the compound's anti-oxidant properties. This may        provide health benefits by releasing negative ions into the body        after consuming the charged compound, which, in turn,        neutralizes free radicals and protects cellular life just as        antioxidant vitamins do.    -   3. Increases the absorption rate of water into biological cells        (hydration) because the surface tension is reduced.    -   4. Increases the “shelf-life” of the enclosed compound by        preventing or delaying, the oxidation of the compound or free        radical formation within the container.    -   5. Maintains freshness of perishable foods such as fruits and        vegetables by preventing spoilage from oxidation and free        radicals.

Desirable effects may also be imparted to non-food products, such asagricultural plants, health & beauty products and a myriad of otherproducts.

The present method creates an electrostatic charge which builds up onthe surface of any compound, liquid, or gas which, in turn, impartsnegative ions to build up within the entire volume of the compound aswell, without the need for D.C. probes coming into contact with theliquid itself or the addition of chemicals or the addition of gases(ozone) or any other type of charge imparting method.

The invention uses high frequency alternating current waveforms of highpotential voltages to impart an electrostatic charge on liquids, solids,or gases by using the container that holds the compound either as adielectric that forms a capacitor with the compound or as a ground planesurface to hold and deposit the charge. High frequency alternatingcurrents may be applied to a container with a single high voltagedischarge electrode. Applications may also include a ground electrodethat will bleed off excess currents, but must be used only withnon-conductive containers because conductive containers (cans) will thenbehave like a conductor instead of a capacitor, and will bleed offelectrostatic charges to ground before the compound can become ionized.

If the container is electrically non-conductive, i.e., glass, plastic,rubber, paper, etc., the container then becomes the dielectric of acapacitor with (more or less) conductive contents. Ionization reliesupon capacitive coupling between the high voltage discharge electrodeand the compound held within a container to impart the electrostaticcharge. The high voltage discharge electrode must either be in contactwith an outer portion of the container or in close proximity in orderfor charging to occur. The container generally must be in direct contactwith the high voltage discharge electrode but may be a slight distanceaway from this electrode. In this case, high voltage discharges willmake contact with the container through the air via spark and coronadischarges.

The charge is initially distributed throughout the entire area of theperiphery of the compound due to what is called the “skin effect” ofhigh frequency electric currents. Because of electrostatic fields,instead of electromagnetic fields, this property means that electronsvibrating at high frequency have an affinity to seek a “ground planes”,i.e., a capacitive surface. As the vibrating charge is maintained forseveral minutes, the interior volume of the compound becomes chargedalso, due to electrostatic attraction from positive ions within thecompound. This will even happen with non-conductive, non-polar gascompounds such as acetylene because some of the molecules will becomeionized by the electrical potential and high frequency vibration andwill then become conductive. Then the charged compound reaches anequilibrium point where it has been charged to capacity. Furthercharging of aqueous solutions may produce hydrogen gas that will shiftthe pH of the solution to a more alkaline state due to the excessproduction of hydroxyl (OH—) ions. But this takes time.

If the container is electrically conductive, i.e., a metal can or pot,the high frequency currents will accumulate on the periphery of the candue to the “skin effect” because conductive surfaces become groundplanes for high frequency electric currents. The conductive containerwill then hold a certain amount of electrostatic charge as if it were acapacitor itself, and then will transfer charge to the contents heldwithin the can directly, as if it were a high voltage dischargeelectrode. The metal container in this case actually becomes anextension of the high voltage discharge electrode, which is in directcontact with the compound.

The frequency and voltage must be high enough to deliver an electriccurrent through the standard thickness wall of beverage containerswhether they are glass, plastic, rubber, paper, etc. As the containerwall thickness increases, the ability to deliver a charge decreasesuntil little or no current will flow. Therefore, thicker container wallsnecessitate higher voltages (when used with external high voltagedischarge electrodes) in order to capacitively couple effectively. Inthese cases, the voltages required may be above 50,000 volts and may bewell over 100,000 volts at high frequencies.

As the non-conductive container wall thickness increases, the insulationproperties of the container increase and the capacitive couplingdecreases. This retards current flow and decreases compound ionizationat a given voltage. Therefore, container wall thickness generally mustbe limited to standard thin-wall beverage container sizes. This can beanywhere between a few thousands of an inch (in the case of plastic bagcontainers) or up to a quarter-inch in thickness for a glass mug.Insulated coffee mugs suffer because there is a dead air space betweenthe outer and inner container walls and require higher voltages toaffect capacitive coupling. Therefore, standard drinking glasses,plastic bottles and ceramic cups are all good containers that can beused with this apparatus.

It is generally desirable to use low power devices because, in practice,they offer the greatest safety from electric shock hazards to the humanbody. Both conductive or non-conductive containers will be electrifiedto the extent that touching (with a finger) the container during thecharging process will result in an almost unnoticeable electricdischarge to the finger coming in contact with the container. This canbe seen as a corona in low light conditions. For low power systems thiscauses no harm because the power levels are too small (about ½ to 1watt) to be noticed. It is the aim and intent of a large part of thepresent invention to limit the voltages and current levels to a safe buteffective level, especially for portable apparatuses.

Electrostatic ground plane capacitance may also be used with containersthat are very thick and completely insulated from high voltage currents.Higher power levels must be used for larger container volumes. Thethickness of the container walls must be larger in order to insulate thecontainer from earth grounds. In this case, the high voltage electrodemust be inserted directly into the compound either through a containeropening or by sealing a conductive wire or electrode that contacts theinterior of the container while being exposed to the outside of thecontainer with which the high voltage discharge electrode may contact.As high frequency high voltage currents enter the compound, theyimmediately fill the periphery of the area of the compound because ofthe ground plane capacitance of the compound.

Generally, as the compound volume increases, the surface area increaseswhich increases the capacitance of the compound. This in turnnecessitates the use of higher voltages, higher current levels andlonger charging cycles to distribute the charge. Thus, as volume and/orsurface area increase, power levels and charging cycles generally mustalso increase.

The unique and useful feature of this method and apparatus is that it isvery convenient to simply place an open or closed, portable containerholding a compound within, into a treatment chamber or onto a platformand operating an electric switch without any other operation needed toimpart a negative electrostatic charge upon and into the liquid, solid,or gas compound which in turn provides negative ions to the compound.Closed containers may be hermetically sealed “off-the-shelf” productslike beverages of all kinds fit for human or animal consumption.

The method may be used to maintain a constant charge (24 hours-per-day;7 days-per-week) on larger containers such as 5-gallon carboys or100-gallon water bladders, or large tanks of milk or other perishablebeverages, which must be either mounted on a vehicle or placed in asemi-permanent location due to the large weight of the compound. Themethod may also be used to charge or maintain a constant charge (24hours-per-day; 7 days-per-week) on containers of perishable compoundssuch as fruits and vegetables in order to prevent or delay spoilage. Themethod may also be used to charge or maintain a constant charge (24hours-per-day; 7 days-per-week) on such compounds as live, growingagricultural plants that are held within plastic, terra cotta, paper,metal, or other types of containers. The electrostatic charges have adesirable effect on the soil within the pot container and on the plantitself. In addition, the method may be used to maintain ionized water inmunicipal water tanks. Also, the method may be used for any food serviceprocess, for example, applications to beer, wine, or champagne brewingvats or other large containers to improve flavor during processing.

The present method uses a high-voltage alternating electric current ofany high frequency waveform that will utilize capacitive coupling andground plane capacitance between the high voltage electrode power sourceand the compound held within the container. The nature of high frequencyelectric currents to flow along the periphery of a conductor is due tothe fact that the surface of any conductor acts as an electrostatic“ground plane”, which is simply a reservoir for electric charges toaccumulate. In electrostatic applications (as opposed to antennaapplications) ground planes become capacitors and their capacitancedepends upon their conductive surface area. A ground plane does not needto be electrically grounded. It simply needs to be a surface area ofconductive material or a surface area that is made conductive viamolecular ionization.

High frequency electric currents flow along the periphery of a conductorbecause as frequency increases in a conductor, inductive reactance(resistance) increases in the conductor, thus decreasing current flow.However capacitive reactance (resistance) decreases as frequencyincreases which then increases current flow, and increases the netpotential charge on the periphery of the conductor. High frequencyelectric currents, therefore, will tend to flow along the periphery of aconductor because there is a lower resistance to electric charge at thesurface of the conductor at higher frequencies. This is called the “skineffect” of high frequency electric currents.

A high frequency electric current that is applied to a liquid compoundlike water, for example, that is held in an open or closed containerwill charge the water with electrons like a capacitor to a certain limitof saturation because the water will accept a certain amount ofelectrostatic charge and hold it for a definite amount of time after thehigh frequency electric current is shut off or removed from contact.This is because water, by its nature is a good electric insulator, thatis, it has a high dielectric constant.

This electrostatic charge may last for a long time or a short timedepending on the type of compound and the type of container used. Also,different compounds will tend to hold an electrostatic charge more orless thus increasing or decreasing its ability to hold an electrostaticcharge. Charges on compounds may last for hours or days or permanently.But for practical purposes, compounds will usually be consumed quicklyafter the charging process is finished, which usually takes a few toseveral minutes.

Some compounds may lose their charge by rapidly shaking the containerand the liquid within which will dissipate the electrostatic charge andrevert back to its original state of equilibrium. Taste tests ofdrinking water confirm this. Therefore, the compound may be charged on acontinuous basis (24 hours-per-day; 7 days-per-week), which will keepthe container and the compound held within fully charged at all timesunless the compound is periodically removed and then replaced withanother supply of compound.

The method could be used to retard spoilage of some compounds. Milk, forexample, will produce lactic acid as it sours, naturally with age. Bykeeping an electrostatic charge on the colloidal particles (milk is acolloidal suspension), the chemical equilibrium will tend to shiftslightly to a more alkaline pH and thus tend to increase shelf life anddelay spoilage at the same temperature.

The electrostatic charge that the compound is holding has a beneficialeffect in many cases that will improve the flavor, taste and smell ofthe liquid. This may be any beverage such as water, milk, tea, coffee,soda, beer, wine, champagne, fruit juice; solid foods such as bread,soup, stew; gases such as air, carbon dioxide, oxygen, fragrances, etc.

The electrostatic charge that the compound is holding also has thebeneficial effect of preventing oxidation within the compound byoffering electrons to free radicals or other oxidizing compoundsinherent within the compound. Therefore, it is a good method to keepcompounds fresh for extended lengths of time that would normally spoil,rot and decay.

The apparatus may be any pulsed, tone-burst, or continuous dischargehigh-voltage high-frequency source. The following circuit examples arenot meant to be exhaustive, but are meant to cover the majority ofusable circuits and to give a sense of the most practical possiblewaveform generators.

1. Low power high-voltage pulse discharge circuits that deliver a strongpulse followed by a decaying sinusoidal waveform and may be powered by alow voltage power supply 9-18 VDC or 120 VAC/9-18 VDC transformer walladapter which may be grounded or ungrounded. These circuits can producevoltages from 1,000 volts AC to over 50,000 volts AC at ringingfrequencies between 1 KHZ to 100 KHZ with output power levels rangingfrom ¼ watt to 2 watts. The preferred circuit will have output powerlevels of about ½ watt and peak voltages of about 20,000 volts AC. Thesecircuits are generally pulsed at between 10 HZ to 100 HZ and generatesinusoidal ringing frequencies between 25 KHZ to 75 KHZ. Each pulsedelivers about 0.01 joule to 0.02 joules of energy. The preferred pulsewaveform generally will pulse at about 50 HZ and ring with a frequencyof about 50 KHZ, with each pulse delivering about 0.01 joule of energy.These low power levels are well below shock safety thresholds and aresufficient to impart electrostatic charges on smaller volumes of liquidcompounds of 2-liters or less within several minutes or less. These aresmall circuits that allow the entire apparatus to be housed in a small,compact kitchen appliance. These low power levels allow the circuits tobe powered by small, inexpensive batteries, if need be, that will lastup to several weeks under normal usage. Battery power allows theapparatus to be highly portable.

2. Low power high-voltage tone-burst discharge circuits are similar tolow power high-voltage pulse discharge circuits except that theygenerally lack a preceding high-voltage pulse with a decaying sinusoidalwaveform and instead have a constant frequency output (on-cycle) withperiods of interruption (off-cycle). DC inputs, power levels andfrequencies are similar to low power high-voltage pulse dischargecircuits.

3. Low power high-voltage continuous discharge high frequency circuitshave continuous sinusoidal waveforms and generally produce voltages fromabout 1,000 volts AC to about 20,000 volts AC with output power levelsof about 1 watt to 50 watts at frequencies between 20 KHZ to 100 KHZ.These circuits are generally used to power neon and fluorescent lights.They generally provide more current and may be used with larger volumesof liquids like carboys. However, they may be designed to deliver lesscurrent at the same voltage as do low power high-voltage pulse dischargecircuits. These circuits are small and compact and may use low voltagepower supplies as in (1.) above. DC inputs, power levels and frequenciesare similar to low power high-voltage pulse discharge circuits.

4. Low to medium power high-voltage pulse discharge circuits such asthat described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,171 (A. B. Kuhry), which ispowered by line current (120 VAC). This circuit does not have a tunedprimary/secondary coil and has a strong pulse followed by a decayingsinusoidal waveform with frequencies between 100 KHZ and 1 MHZdelivering between 50,000 VAC to 100,000 VAC at an output power levelbetween 5 watts to 50 watts. Output waveforms are rich in harmonicfrequencies (i.e. a mixture of frequencies with a strong fundamentalfrequency). This is useful for larger volumes of liquids like carboys orsmall to medium sized tanks but may be used on any smaller sized volumesof liquids as well.

5. Tesla coils (with tuned primary/secondary coils): Any types that aregenerally powered by line current (120 VAC). Tesla coils produce astrong pulse followed by a decaying sinusoidal waveform that has aprolonged ringing due to the tuned secondary coil with waveforms thatare rich in harmonic frequencies (i.e. a mixture of frequencies with astrong fundamental frequency). These can produce voltages from 50,000VAC to 500,000.

-   -   VAC (and much more) at frequencies generally between 50 KHZ to 1        MHZ with output power levels ranging from a few watts to over 1        kilowatt. These circuits are useful for large volumes of liquid        with large surface areas (e.g., tanks, vats, bladders, flow        pipes, or even open ponds, or streams).

7. Other high voltage high frequency circuits: Many circuits that are incommon public use such as those used for personal protection, i.e., stunguns or similar circuits. These circuits generally have two electrodesthat deliver very high peak voltages (50,000 to 500,000 VAC) frombattery power supplies and rely on strong pulses or specific waveformsto be useful in personal protection. These circuits may be modified foruse as negative ion charging apparatuses. The high voltage dischargeelectrodes need to be separated so that the output currents do notsimply arc back and forth between the two high voltage electrodes. Theelectrodes must be separated so that the currents will seek a groundplane such as a liquid compound. These circuits are not designed tooperate for extended periods of time and are only designed to operatefor a few to several seconds, making them less desirable for the presentmethod. Although these circuits may be used in the present invention,they are not the preferred method because they deliver harmful shocks iftouched and are unsafe in practical use for a portable apparatus.

FIG. 1 illustrates, schematically, the method and apparatus according tothe invention. A container 10, which can be either a sealed or opencontainer, is employed. The container 10 illustrated is a sealedcontainer, having a cap 12. The container 10 is located proximate a highvoltage discharge electrode 14 which is activated by a high frequency,high voltage discharge circuit 16. If the container 10 is an insulativestructure, a ground electrode 18 can be employed to bleed off excesscurrent. If a conductive container is employed, however, the groundelectrode 18 is eliminated.

FIG. 2 illustrates a variation of FIG. 1, used for containers that havevery thick walls or which are completely insulated from high voltages.In this case, the electrode 14 is appropriately inserted directly intothe container 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates the components of a portable version of theinvention. The discharge circuit 16 is comprised of three subelements, acharging circuit 20, a discharge circuit 22 and a high voltage pulsetransformer 24. A timing circuit 26 may be employed for both initiatingand controlling the duration of operation of the discharge circuit 16.If a timing circuit is not employed, a simple switch can be substituted.An appropriate DC power supply 28 provides power to both the timercircuit 26 and the discharge circuit 16.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the invention when employed with an opencontainer 10′. In FIG. 4A, a platform 30 is employed and is tilted at aslight acute angle toward the electrode 14 as shown. This tends to shiftthe center of gravity of the container 10′ toward the high voltageelectrode 14 and holds the container in direct contact with theelectrode. The container 10′ must be in direct or close contact with thedischarge electrode in order to effect the capacitive coupling with thecompound (here illustrated as a liquid) in the container 10′. Theplatform 30 may be a simple non-skid structure that keeps the bottom ofthe container 10′ in position.

In FIG. 4B, the platform 32 is flat, and electrode 14 is tilted to becoextensive with the container 10′. The electrode 14 is adjustable inattitude in relation to the container 10′ so that there is contact or avery slight separation between the two.

FIG. 5 illustrates one form of portable apparatus according to theinvention. Where the elements are the same as those described above, thesame reference numerals are employed. In this form of the invention, theelements of the discharge circuit 16 and the timer circuit 26 arecontained within a housing 34. The housing 34 has a curved surface 36,which is curved to accommodate the cylindrical surfaces of containersmounted on the platform 30 or 32. The electrode 14 is appropriatelysecured to the curved surface 36. A power switch 38 is connected foractivating the electrode 14, and various light indicators 40 and 42 maybe employed to indicate when the circuit is on and when treatment of acontainer has concluded. Other indicators such as a buzzer or other typeof tone can be used appropriately.

FIG. 6 illustrates a form of the invention similar to FIG. 5, but with ahousing enclosure 44 which fully envelopes a container 10 which is beingtreated. The housing enclosure 44 includes a door 46 through which thecontainer 10 is inserted. The door 46 may be coupled to a safety switch48, which inhibits operation of the circuit 16 when the door 46 is open.A push button 50 is used to initiate the discharge circuit 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in greater detail, one form of the charging circuit20, the discharge circuit 22, and the high voltage pulse transformer 24.Those elements are shown in relation to the remaining parts of theapparatus according to the invention. The timer circuit 26 is not shownin FIG. 7, but rather is shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9 through 11 show three different appropriate waveforms. FIG. 9illustrates a strong pulse followed by a decaying sinusoidal waveform.FIG. 10 is similar, except that there is a constant frequency outputwith periods of interruption. FIG. 11 illustrates a continuoussinusoidal waveform.

The invention provides a simple and effective manner of providing anapplication of electrostatic charges to increase negative ions inliquid, solid or gaseous compounds. Various changes can be made to theinvention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of thefollowing claims.

1. An apparatus for supplying negative ions to a compound, comprising a. an electrode positionable proximate the compound to permit capacitive coupling between said electrode and the compound, and b. a high frequency, high amplitude voltage source connected to said electrode, said voltage source having a frequency in excess of 10 kHz and an amplitude in excess of 10 kV.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, including a grounded platform upon which the compound is located.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, in which said source comprises a high voltage pulse transformer, a discharge circuit and a charging circuit.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, including a timer for operating said source at pre-selected times.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, including a housing enclosure containing said electrode.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, in which said housing includes an access door.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, including a safety switch connected to said access door for disabling said source if said access door is open. 